Initial list of Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees announced

The long, difficult process of picking a five-man class of modern candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame begins with a long list of distinguished nominees.

Thursday, the Hall announced the list of 102 nominees for the honor, beginning the process.

The group includes first-year eligible players including Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed, Champ Bailey and London Fletcher.

The list will be pared to 25 semifinalists in November, and then to 15 in January. Voting for those 15 finalists takes place the Saturday before the Super Bowl.

In addition to picking five from the list below, selectors will also be voting on seniors finalist Johnny Robinson, and contributors Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt. Each needs 80 percent of a yes-no vote to be chosen to the Hall.